Balancing the Second Chakra: Yoga Practices to Unleash Passion and Creativity

The energy of the second chakra—called the svadisthana or sacral chakra—governs movement and creativity. This “center of the self” is concerned with self-expression and reproduction as well as emotion. Balancing the second chakra can help with control issues and lack of self-esteem.

The second chakra also governs sexuality. Emotional issues from to sexual abuse may result in energy blocks in the second chakra. Physically, these people may suffer from low back pain or reproductive problems, which are also second chakra issues. Balancing the second chakra, then, may involve processing trauma from the past. If you need help with issues of abuse, it’s a good idea to consult with a professional who can help you deal with these issues.

Yoga poses for balancing the second chakra

While the first chakra is about stability, the second is about change. Second chakra energy helps us go with the flow, feel pleasure, and express ourselves creatively. Yoga poses for balancing the second chakra are fluid poses, as well as those that open the hips and groin. A vinyasa practice is ideal.

A targeted yoga practice may help you unlock emotions and increase sensual experience. The second chakra is in the area of the lower abdomen, hips, sacrum, and lower back. As you’ve probably heard yoga teachers explain, we store a lot of tension in our hips. When second chakra energy is blocked, our creativity and emotional availability can be blocked as well

Yoga poses that release tension in the hips and groin are ideal for balancing the second chakra. Pigeon pose and bound angle pose are two good examples. Other hip-opening yoga poses include crescent lunge, extended triangle, cow pose, and frog pose. It’s relatively easy to know when you’re doing a hip-opening yoga pose; you’ll usually feel it!

Other practices for balancing the second chakra

Meditation can also help open the second chakra. Meditation practices that allow you to get in touch with your feelings are especially beneficial.

Chanting the sound vam—the “seed sound” for the second chakra—is another practice that can help activate sacral chakra energy.

The color of the sacral chakra is orange. In addition to meditation and chanting, wearing orange or surrounding yourself with orange objects can inspire creativity and sensuality. This helps unblock the energy of the second chakra.

Aromatherapy can often help release energy specific to chakra imbalances. Sensual aromas or aromas that inspire creativity may be beneficial in cases where sacral chakra energy is blocked. Examples include geranium, jasmine, and rose. Also helpful are aromas that target physical issues in the sacral chakra, such as backaches or menstrual problems. These include patchouli, frankincense, clary sage, and ylang ylang.

If your sense of self-worth, creativity, or ability to express yourself is not what you’d like it to be, try targeting your yoga practice in ways that help unblock the energy of the svadisthana chakra. Remember that the chakras work together, so correcting an imbalance in one area can help improve your whole being!

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